Dianne White

A sampling of  books for those interested in writing for children. Some of these have been on my shelves for many years.  Others, are more recent additions.

From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children’s Books by Kathleen T. Horning

Horning provides a practical overview of children’s literature, as well as clear descriptions and definitions of the “parts of a book” and all the considerations one must address when analyzing/evaluating/reviewing books for children.

How to Write a Children’s Book and Get It Published by Barbara Seuling.

Years ago, I took an on-line class with Seuling and, to this day, refer back to my notes from class.

Currently in it’s third edition, How to Write… will provide a wonderful overview for those just getting started writing for children.

It’s A Bunny-Eat-Bunny World by Olga Litowinsky

The book’s subtitle reads: “A Writer’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Today’s Competitive Children’s Book Market.”

Divided into two parts: “Background” and “Foreground,” this book provides a brief history of the beginnings of children’s publishing in America, as well practical considerations, such as editing, submissions, and marketing.

Picture This: How Pictures Work by Molly Bang

Artist/Illustrator Molly Bang discusses the implications and emotional impact of shape, color, and composition on the “reader/viewer” of a piece of art.

Paired with the section in Kathleen Horning’s book (Picture Books: illustrations/ visual elements) Picture This is a must for those wanting to study the dynamic interaction of text and illustration.

Picture Writing: A New Approach to Writing for Kids and Teens by Anastasia Suen

This book has a little bit of everything – plot, character, setting, and more.  Each section covers information on elements specific to writing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children.

Show & Tell: Exploring the Fine Art of Children’s Book Illustration by Dilys Evans

This elegant book features detailed and thoughtful analyses of the illustrations, techniques, and lives of nine prominent artists working in children’s books today. As Chronicle Books’ editor-at-large Victoria Rock so aptly states on the back cover, “Reading this book is like taking a master class in the fine art of children’s book illustration.”

The Children’s Picture Book: How to Write It- How To Sell It by Ellen E.M. Roberts

This book, with a copyright of 1981, is admittedly one of the older resources on my shelves.  As such, though, it provides a lovely overview of numerous “classic” picture books, including a wonderful chapter called “Picture Book Principles.”

The Way to Write for Children: An Introduction to the Craft of Writing Children’s Literature by Joan Aiken

Chapter two in this no-nonsense introduction to writing for children begins: “Warning: writing for children may not be as simple as you think.”  I couldn’t agree more…

The Writer’s Guide to Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb

While writing essays as part of my VCFA – MFA requirements, I often returned to Section II: Foundation & Structure.

With chapters such as “Breaking Ground: How to Begin the Beginning,” “The Mid-Story Crisis,” and “Journey’s End” there’s a little of something for everyone in this book.

Ways of Telling: Conversations on the Art of the Picture Book by Leonard S. Marcus

Marcus interviews fourteen prominent authors and author/illustrators for this book on the role of picture books as both art form and part of the “culture of childhood.”

Marcus, in the introduction, writes, “In each of these interviews, I have searched for the thread or threads that connect the life work to the life story and individual works to one another… What impelled these gifted men and women to devote their adult lives to the literature of childhood?”

Words About Pictures: The Narrative Art of Children’s Picture Books by Perry Nodelman

This book is not for the faint of heart, as it is definitely “text book” reading.  As such, I readily admit that I have *not* read it cover to cover.  But I have dipped in, and one of these days, when long stretches of time allow, I will read it more closely.  This is a book for the serious student of visual literacy and the relationship of text to art.

Writing for Children by Catherine Woolley

Like the Roberts’ book listed above, Writing for Children is one of the first books I added to my shelves.  With a copyright of 1989, it is not the most up-to-date book on the subject, but if you’re looking for “one more book,” then  Woolley’s book might be for you.

Writing with Pictures: How to Write and Illustrate Children’s Books by Uri Shulevitz

Writing with Pictures is a must have.  While at least half of the book is specifically dedicated to a discussion of technique and the considerations an artist must address when illustrating a book for children, it also provides a very necessary foundation for non-illustrators, myself included,  who are interested in writing picture books.

Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication by Ann Whitford Paul

This book is scheduled for publication in early June 2009.  Having had the wonderful pleasure of taking numerous of Ann Paul’s classes, I am confident this soon-to-be published book will be *the* “go-to” book on the subject.

With many wonderful picture books, poetry, and non-fiction to her credit, Ann’s book is one you will not want to miss.